Back in America

I got home late 2 nights ago from the airport and have finally recovered from jet lag. To be honest I think I have more culture shock coming back  home then leaving for France. I miss my baguette breakfasts , being able to walk to any store within 5 minutes, having 2 hour coffee breaks, and tasting wine everyday. French people have a much more relaxed mentality than Americans. Eating rushed meals is a definite "no no". Going to the farmer's market really taught me how the locals interact with one another. Its a tradition to bring a large basket and buy foods directly from the market. Most of the locals know who all the sellers are and they greet them with a kiss on the cheek or a hand-shake. I have also noticed that it is impolite to touch any of their products without asking because the sellers take their products so seriously.

Not only did I learn a lot in Cluny, I also learned even more on the day trips our group went on. My favorite was going to Beaune. We went to a vineyard called Bouchard et Fils. Underground they had 2 million wine bottles. The oldest was from 1864!

Afterwards we went to a medieval hospital that has been used up until the 1960s. During the medieval times sick people were put in beds inside a church in order to be in a holy place even though they were ill. Nuns acted as nurses and aided the people in gaining their health.

 

 

Going to Louis Pasteur's house really made an impact on me as well. I got to see paintings of his that he made when he was young. Some of the flasks he worked on still have liquids brewing in them, filled with yeast and fermenting products. I could almost picture him pondering over his next discovery. It was amazing how many things were dedicated to Pasteur in the small city of Arbois. It was obvious that the French are very proud of him.

Overall this trip was a life changing experience. I met some amazing people , had some great professors, and learned things I could have never learned sitting in a classroom. I recommend taking every opportunity not only to study abroad but to travel as much as possible and get out of your comfort zone as much as possible. Thank you to the study abroad department and everyone else for making this trip possible!

- Alexandra F.